Lock structure



July 11, 1933. A. C, MABEE v 1,917,656

f Loox sTnuoTurE.

Filed March y'7, 1932 Tm 3 I w' 6 242 25 independentlyof rotational435'" 'said lever structure'. i

Patented July 11.11933 i. e

UNITEDSTATES 15 ALEXANDEE'C. iviABEE, or VILLA' PARK, iLLiNoIs,AssieilioierojoAKiis ritonno'rs l CORPORATION, ,QFfNORTI-I(12111014161074 ILLINOIS, AUORPORATON OF MClGAN v l1.00K STRUCTURE v Myinvention relates to Vimproved lock structure for-locking or releasingcertaiiicontrol elements `as for example the steering control andtheignition control in automotive t vehicles. Y jf v l Theinvention'concernsV particularly that type' of lock mechanism in which alocking bolt is provided for locking and unlocking the steering control,and a lever structure is adapted by its rotation to cause operation ofmovementof the locking bolt to locking positioii when the .levei is inacertain switch'` controlling position'.

An important ob. provide construction and arrangement in which thelocking bolt is capable of only lon-l gitudinal'movement in axialdirection and in. which the lever structurejhas direct connec-` tionwithrthe switchV mechanism and 'is ro .tatable for operation of theswitch mechanism i locking bolt;

A further object is to provide constructionA and arrangement in whichthe locking bolt locking bolt.

Another object is to provide construction 'and arrangement in which thelockingbolt is capableonly of long-itudinall oraXial Inove-v nientandthe lever 'structure is capablefonly of rotational movement andwiththe switch controlled by--the I rotational movement of Another object'to provide' anarrangenient Akwliichthe locking bolt and theleve'rstructure are'lcoazially mounted inu the lock housing, with the boltprevented from rotational inrweinent and with the lever struc?v Astillrfurther object is to provide an ari rangement in which the lockingbolt and le- LVerV structure are coaXially mounted in the ect of theinvention is to movement ofthe l 'V AApplication filed March 7, 1932.`Serial. No.- 597,215.

loclr housing'7 with` the locking bolt held `against rotationali'i'iovement,` together with means controlled by the axial shiftof saidlocking bolt for locking or unlocking said le-l ver structure.- '.f

The above specifically referred to and other features of my inventionare incorporated in the structure disclosed on the drawing, in whichdrawing *y 'Figure .1 ris a'plan view of the lock struc'- ture with/thesteering column, to which it is applied;intransversesection;

F igure'Ql is a section onvplaneII-II of Figure K v j y Figure 3 isaview on plane III-#III of FigureQ; A4

' ligure 4 is a plan view ofthe locking bolt an y i Figure lis a sectionsimilar to Figure 2 showing a modified arrangement.

The lock structure vshownv comprises the body or housing 10 having "atione vside the" i vertical. cylindrical passageway llthere'- through forreceiving the steering column 12 of an automotive vehicle,A throughwhich column extendsthe steering shaft 13 supporting at 'its uppergendfawheel (not shown)` by which the :shaft may be turned for steeringl'the'vehicle The' body is opened by a split vor slot 14 so thatL itmaybe contracted into y intimate and secure engagement on the steeringcolumn asrbymeansfoffa bolt'l. A colf lar 16V is rigidly secured to thesteering shaft f and has a locking notch 17 atene side there of whichregisters .with theopening 18 'through thel steering column whenthesteerinfr shaft is in 'a certain position, usually in position for'straightforwardtravel` of the vehicle.

gral with the housing'10 extends rearwardly therefrom behind thesteering column, this ing in flanges not shown) by means of which armbeing shown broken away but terminat` Entendiiigthrough the housing 10prefer-V .i ably at right angles to theA axis of the steer-v v ingcolumn is thev cylindrical bore 21 for re-' ceiving the lock bolt andswitch controlling lever structure. The lock bolt structure comprisesthe cylindrical head 22 with the reduced outer end 22 extendingtherefrom, the v when the hub 35 is rotated.. The switch struchead 22fitting the bore so as to guide the head therein. The head has theaxially extendine cylindrical pocket 23 for guiding the loc plunger orbolt 24, a spring 25 seated in the bottom of the pocket abutting againstthe bolt' andrtending to shift it outwardly. To limit the movement ofthe bolt 24 a detent plate 26 extends into the pocket through a slot 27in the head 22 and projects GLA into the notch 28 formed in the bolt,the engagement of the shoulders at the end of this notch with the detentplate limiting theoutward'and inward movement of the bolt. When the head22 is shifted inwardly in theboref21 the bolt will extend through thehole 18 in the steering column 12 and i f the notchl 17 inthe ring onthe steering shaft is in alignment with the hole 18 the bolt will beprojected into the notch byv the.

spring, thus to lock the steering shaft to the lockstructure body andprevent rotation of theshaft and steering of the vehicle.

For controlling the shifting movement of the lock bolt structure Iprovide a lock cylinder 29 which is seated and securedv in thecylindricalopening 30 extending` into the housing 10 at right angleswith the axis of the bore 21. The lock cylinder journals a lock barrel31 which may be turned by'means of a suitable key inserted in thekeyhole 32,

' the lock cylinder at its innerl end having aV camrdi'sc 33 securedthereto eccentric relav tive to the barrel axis and this cam disc`engages in the transverse slot 34 formed in the head 22 of the lockbolt structure so that when the lock barrel is turned the lock boltstructure will be shifted in axial direction in the bore 21. The camdise fits accurately in the slot 34 and intimately engages the fiat basethereof so that the lock bolt` structure will be held against rotationalmovement in the bore 21. In the Aposition shown in Fignre 2 the lockbarrel has been turned to swing the cam disc to the left with its centerin' horizontal alignment with the axis of the) lock' barrel and the lockbolt structure will thus beheld in its locking position. Upon rotationof the lock barrel 180 the lock bolt'structure will .be shiftedoutwardly to 'unlocking position and will be held in Projecting into theouter end of the bore 21.is the hub 35 from whose outer end extends thelever 35, the hub having the cylini drical bore 36 receiving the reducedend 22" of the lock bolthead 22. The hub 35 isV rotatable in the bore 21but is 'locked against axial displacement as by means of a spring ring37engaging in opposed notches in the hubandin thelocl housing. As the keyis turned in the lock the lock bolt structure will thisv be shiftedlongitudinallyin the bore 21 with its end 22 sliding in the bore 36 ofthe hub.

switch block has the longitudinally extend` ing slot 45 into whichprojects a pin 46 which is secured to and extends radially Vfrom thehubv 35, the housing 10 having the clearance slot 47 through which thepin extends. In the bottom of the cup 38 is the clearance hole 48through which lthe pin extends and as the hub 35 is rotated the pin willswing the switch block on its pivot post 44. On its top the switch blocksupports a switch blade 49 which extends longitudinally thereof and isanchored at its center as by means of a rivet 50. y

The ends of the blade are beaded and one end is always in electricalcontact with terminal post 40 which is in alignment with the pivot post44, but the other terminal post 41- is oii'set laterally a. distance sothat when the switch block is parallel with the axis of the hub 35 theother end of the switch blade will be at one side of and out ofengagement with the terminal post 41, but when the switch block isrotated both terminal posts will be engaged by the switch blade and thecircuitV connected with the terminal posts will be closed, such circuitin this ease being the ignition circuit for the 'engine ofthe vehicle.

n The hub 35 and the lock bolt structure are interlocked. so as tocompel a certain sequential operation thereof. In the reduced end 22 ofthe Vlock bolt structure a slot section 51 extends a distance inwardlyfrom the end thereof and parallel with the axis of the lockiboltstructure and yatvits inner end this longitudinal slot communicates witha slot 52 whichrextends'a distancein circumferen- Itial direction. Theswitch actuating pin 46 cooperates with the slot for .the interlockingoperation and when the lock bolt structure is in its outer or lockingposition 'thellongitudinal slot 51v receives the pin end and locks thehub'35 to the lock bolt structure against relative rotational movement,and as the lock bolt structure 'is held against rotational movement thehub 35 will be locked against rotational movement at this time. The hubcannot therefore be turned by its lever 35y to operate theV switch blockwhich at this time is positioned with its switch blade disconnected fromthe terminal post 41 so that the switchis open. However whenfthe lockbolt structure is shifted inwardly by manipulation of the key in thelock and into unlocking position, the transverse slot 52 comes intoalignment with the end of the pin 46fand then `theelever 35" may, beswung upwardly to rotate the hub 35 in corresponding direction, theinnerend of the pin 46 then moving in the. slot 52 and the switch block willbe swung to carry its blade into engagement with the terminal post 41and the circuit will be closed. Thus with thel arrangement shown, theswitchV can be closed onlywhen `the locking boltxstructure is in itsouter or unlocking position. Also, when the lock bolt structure is inits unlocking position and .the lever has been swung to close'v theswitch, the engagement of the end of' the pin in the transverse slot 52will prevent outward shift of the'lock bolt structure to lookingposition and before such movement of the lock bolt structure can beaccomplished the switch lever structure must be swung back to bring thepin 46 into alignment with the horizontal slot. 5l in the lock boltstructure, such swing back movement causing reopening of the switch.Locking conditions canV therefore not be reestahlished until the circuithas been opened. The interlocking -connection between the switch controllever structure and the lock bolt structure thus compels a sequentialoperation, namely, unlocking of the bolt structure before therleverstructure Vcan be actuated to operate the switch. and move- .ment of thelever structure to switch opening position before the lock -boltstructure can be shifted to lockingposition; AftertheV lock boltstructure has been shifted to unlocking position the lever is freefoimove# I.ment back and forth to either open or close4 the switch andthe controlled circuit.

On the housing l0 an escutcheon plate 54 may be applied with theindications On-V and Off thereon, the lever 3 5 thenacjting l as apointer vfor cooperating with these indications to indicate whether thecircuit isoii or olf. The lock structure 29 may be of the" type whichwill prevent withdrawal of the key except when the lock bolt structureisin locking position and the driver of the vehicle will thus know whetherthe lock is'open or closed. v

In Figure 5l have shown. a modified ar# rangement. The bolt structurehead. 55 has4 .the reduced outer end. 55 and guided in the bore in thehousing and contains the lock bolt 57 whose nioveniei'itis limited 'bythe plate 58 'extending' into the notch 5,9 inA the lock bolt. T he lockbarrel 60 in the lock cylinder (5l-has the cam disc62engaging'intheslot63 in the head and by the turning ofthe key in the lock barrelthe bolt structure is shifted longitudinally in the bore 56. A pin 64extending from the head 55 engages rin the longitudinally extending,slot 65 out l wardly into locking position.

ing association thus delines the sequentialop-- thereducod end of thehub. At its inner end the hub abuts against the shoulder 69 at the baseof the'bore section 66 Vand a spring 7 0 is inserted between therinnersection of the hub and the bushing'68 and tends to hold the hubV in itsinner rattling thereof. g

The hubhas the bore 71 receiving the rcduced end 55lV of the lock boltstructure head 55 so that the bolt structure may shiftlongiposition andto prevent `tiidiiially in the'bore 56 and in the bore ofthe hub67. Thehub has va pin y72 securedto and extending radially therefrom andthrough the clearanceslot 73fornied inthe housing 10, the outer end ofthe pin, engag-V ing with a switch block arranged in the switch housing74 in the same manner as in l thearrangement disclosed in Figures l to3. In the reduced end 55 of the Vlock bolt structure head 55fis thelongitudinally eir-` tending slot 7 5 which at its inner endcommunicates with the transversely extending slot 7 6 and a pin 77secured toand extending from the hub 67 cooperateswith'the slot forinterlocking' association Yof the lock bolt vstructure and the hubstructure 67. When the lock bolt structure in its outer or lockingvposition as shown in Figure 5 the longitudinal slot 75 receives the pin77, and, as the lock bolt structure' is at all times locked f againstrotational movement, the hub 67 will now be locked. against/rotationandthe switch will be held in open position. However when the lock boltstructure is shifted inwardly by manipulation of Athe key, 'the,transverseslot Y 76 comes into registration withthe pin 7 7 and thenthe lever 67 can be swung to rotate the hub 67,thepin 77 travelingthrough the slot n 76 .and the pin 72 then actuating the 'switchstructure foropening of the circuit. TWhile the hub structure is in thisposition with the L ica.

switch open the engagement of the pin' 77 in the slot 76'will preventshifting of the lock bolt structure hack to locking position an d the ylever 67 must first be V swung to carry the pin 77 hack intoregistration with the longitudinal slot 75 and to open the switch.before i thelock. bolt structure can vbe shifted outeration of the'boltstructure-and switch opcrating mechanism. f f* n the structures shownthe parts are of simple design and can be economically manufactured andassembly is also very Veasily ac- The jinterlockcomplished. In thearrangement of Figure 2 the lock bolt sti'ucture is lirst inserted intothe bore 21 from the outer end thereof and the lock cylinder 29 is theninstalled, and then the hub i5 is inserted and the spring ring clampedinto locking position. The switch structure is then secured as by meansof screws 7S extending therethrough andV threading into the 'housing l0,and the device is ready for operation. In the arrangement 1 of Figure 5substantially the same assembly procedure is followed.

I have shown an efficient and practical embodiment of the variousfeatures of my inveiition but I do not desire to b e limited to theexact construction, arrangement, and opy eration shown and described aschanges and modifications may bemade without departing from the scope ofthe invention as der tiiied by the appended claims.

I claim as follows:

1. In combination, an axially movable locking bolt element and means foreil'ecting such movement, means preventing rotational movement of saidbolt element, a switch, a rotatable control element for said switchcoaxial with said locking bolt element, and means whereby said switchcontrol element is operable only wliensaid bolt element is in un- I boltelement shiftable axially in said housingA locking position.

2. In combination, a locking bolt element, means for axially moving saidelement to locking or unlocking position, means preventing rotationalmovement of said bolt elenient, a switch, a rotatable control elementfor said switch coaxial with said locking bolt element, and interlockingconnection between said elements eil'ective to lock said switch contiolelement against operation when said bolt element is in locking positionand to prevent movement of said bolt element to lookin g position whensaid switch is held in one circuit controlling position by said controlelement. i

3. In combination, a lock housing, a lock to locking orunlocking'position but being restrained against rotational movement, a

switch on said housing, a control element for said switch havingrotatable support in said housing coaxial with said bolt element but,being restrained against axial movement,

means controlled by said bolt element for locking said switch controlelement when said bolt element is in locking position and to releasesaid switch control. element when said bolt element is in unlockingposition, andmeans controlled by the rotation of said switch controlelement after release thereof for preventing movement of said boltelement to locking position.

4. In combination, a housing, a lirst control member, a second controlmember, a lock bolt element confined to axial movement in said housingand 4means for eliectmg said movement, an actuating element for saidsecond Y controly member conned in said housing to rotational movementVand having telescopic' Aassociation with said bolt element, andinterlocking connection between saidelements effective to release saidactuating element for movement only when said bolt element is' inunlocking position and to lock said bolt element against movement tolocking position when said released actuating element has been moved tooperate said second control member.

5.5In combination, a member to be locked, a circuit 'controlling switch,a lock bolt element adapted for axial movement but ir `engagement ofsaid projection and transverse slot section after switch operatingmovement of said actuating element preventing return movement of saidlock element to locking position.-

6. In combination, a member to be locked, a circuit controlling switch,a lock element adapted-.for axial reciprocation to locking or unlockingposition relative to said member to be locked, an actuating elementadapted when rotated to operate said switch, means holding said lockelement against rotational movement, means .locking said actuatingelement tosaid lockelement to prevent rotation thereof whensaid lockelement is in locking position, and means for unlocking said actuatingelement for switch operating movement when said lock element is inyunlocking position and for preventing return of said lock elelment tolocking position after the released actuating element has been rotatedto operati` said switch.

7. In combination in ak lock structure, an vaxially movable locking boltelement and means for effecting such movement, a switch,

Yand a rotatable control element therefor, said elements beingindependentlyv movable and their axes extending in the same direction,and interlocking connection between said elements whereby the ability tomove one of said elements is dependent upon the position of the otherelement.

8. VIn combination in a lock structure, an axially movable locking boltelement and means for effecting such movement,a switch and a rotatablecontrol element therefor, said elements being independently movable andtheir axes extending in `the samedirection,

eitherelement is dependent upon there'lativeV positions of saidelements.

9. In combination, an axially movable but bolt, an electrical switch,means for shifting non-rotatable locking bolt element, a switch and arotatable control element therefor, the axes of said elements extendingin the same direction, and interlocking connectionfor saidelementswhereby the movement of one Y element is dependent upontherelative positions of said elements.

10. In lcombinationiin a lock` structure, non-rotatable lock boltelement shiftable axially, `a switch, a rotatable actuating ele-Ament'for said switch, the axes of said elements extending in thesamedirection', and Vinterlocking connections for said elements controlledby the relative movements thereof whereby the movement of one element isdependent upon the relative position of the other element.

11. A lock in which is comprised a locking lbolt member, an electricalswitch', means for shifting said bolt member to locking or unlockingposition without actuating said switch, an actuating member for saidswitch rotatable independently of movement of said bolt member on anaxis extending' in the samel direction as the shifting movement lof saidbolt member.

12. A locking bolt member and an actuating member mounted coaxialwithsaid locking bolt member and rotatable independently thereof, and a.switch controlled by aid'actuating` member, and means controlled by therelative movement of said members for interlocking said members.

13. In combination, a switch, a rotatable actuating member therefor, alock bolt shiftable relative to and in the direction of the axis of saidactuating member, and means for shifting said bolt to lock or unlocksaid actuating member.

14. In combination, a switch, a rotatable actuating member for saidswitch, a locking bolt coaxial with said actuating member and shittablerelative thereto, and means conrolled by the shifting of said bolt forlocking or unlocking said actuating member.

15. In combination, a first control, a second control, a rotatableactuating member for said first control, and a key operated locking boltmember for alternately locking said second control and releasing saidactuating member.

16. In combination, a first control, a second control, arotatableactuating member for said first control, and a key operatedlocking bolt member for alternately locking said second control andreleasing said actuating member, said members vbeing coaxial.

17. In combination, a'iiist control, a second control, a rotatableactuating member for said iirst control, anda key operated lock. ingbolt member for alternately.locking said second controlv and Vreleasingsaid actuating member, said members vengaging "telescopicallyl- .l

is. Aioek iii'which is Combined a ioeking said `bolt into locking orunlocking position,

a lever having a hub in rwhicli'said bolt is ,i

slidable during shifting movement thereof, means holding said leveragainst movement with said bolt during shitting thereof, and.,

a connection whereby swing of said lever will cause operation of saidswitch.

19. In combination, a'rotatable actuating member and an electricalswitch 'controlled thereby, a locking bolt telesc'opically received bysaid actuatingmcmber and shiftable inr dependently thereof, and meansfor locking said actuating memberwhen saidbolt is shifted in onedirection. Y f

20; Incombination 'inv` a lock structure,a

housing having' a bore therethrough, a lock bolt element shiftableaxially in said bore, a rotatable actuating element extending into saidhousing and surrounding said bolt ele ment, a switch connected with saidactuating clement, and interlocking connection between said elementswhereby the independent movement of'eithe'r element is dependent uponthe relative positions of said elements. j 2l. In combination in a lockstructure, a housing having a bore therethrough, a lock bolt element`shiftable axially in said bore but restrained from rotational movement,a rotatable actuating element extending transversely into said housingand concentricwitli said bolt element, a switch on said housing Y'connected with said actuatingelement, and Y means for interlocking said.elements where-I by to prevent operationof said actuating element exceptwhen said lock element is in unlocking position.v

22. In lockstructure for the steering and ignition of an automotivevehicle, the combination of a housing having` a longitudinal bore and a.transverse bore, a lock bolt elcment shiftable in said longitudinal boreto locking and unlocking position, means hold- Ving said bolt elementagainst rotationcl movement,l an ignition controlling switch on saidhousing, an actuatingelement for said switch in said transverse borefulcrumed on said bolt element for rotational movement'y to operate saidswitch, means holding said `acti'iating element against axial movement,

and an interlocking connection between said elements operable to releasesaid actuating element for switch operation only when said bolt elementis'in .unlocking position and to prevent return of said bolt element tolocking position when said actuating element is in v position to opensaid switch.

23. In combination in a lock structure, a housing, a lock bolt membershiftable axially f iso in said housing to locking or unlocking posi-vtion, a switch, an actuating member for directly actuating said switchand extending transversely through said housing and rotatable on an axisextending in the same direction as that of the shifting movement of saidbolt member, and means for locking said actuating member against switchoperation except When said bolt member is in unlocking position. v

24. In combination in a lock structure, a housing, a lock bolt membershiftable axially in said housing to locking or unlocking posi tion, aswitch, an actuating member for directly actuating said switch andextending transversely through said housing and being concentric Wi thsaid bolt member, and means for lock-ing said actuating member againstswitch operation thereby except when said bolt member is in unlockingposition.

25. In combination in a lock structure, a housing, a lock bolt membershiftable axially in said housing to locking or unlocking position, aswitch,-a rotatable actuating member extending transversely through saidhousing and fulcrumed on said bolt member and having operativeconnection withsaid switch independently of said bolt member, and meansfor locking said actuating member against switch operation except whensaid bolt member is in unlocking position. v

26. In combination, a first control, av second control, a rotatableactuating member for said first control, and a key operatedlongitudinally shiftable locking bolt for alternately locking saidsecondv controlfand releasing said actuating. member, the axis of'rotation ofsaid. actuating member and the longitudinal axis of said boltbeing in a common plane. v

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, CookCounty, Illinois.

ALEXANDER o. MABEE.

Cil

